Encouragement is like a premium gasoline, it helps to take knocks out of livingAuthor Unknown

InspirEmail

InspirEmail No 143 - September 22, 2008'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'

Alive and Present

Architect Frank Lloyd Wright once told of a childhood incident that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound influence on the rest of his life. It happened when he was nine years old.

It was winter. Young Frank was walking across a snow-covered field with his uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow's flight, and then young Frank's tracks meandering all over the field.

'Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again,' his uncle said.

'And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that.'

Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how this experience had greatly contributed to his life's philosophy. 'I determined right then,' he'd say with a twinkle in his eye, 'not to miss most things in life, as my uncle had.'

He determined to be alive and present. To be fully aware and squeeze as much life out of each moment as possible.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the past. Let us learn from the past, but not live there.

We will miss most things in life if we live in the future. Let us plan for the future, but not live there.

We will miss little if we live in the present. And we'll have more fun along the way!

September Featured Inspiration

When the nest emptied . . . dedication and the kids

It seemed like I was always tired when my three daughters were young yet I also felt absolutely alive with a dedication and purpose that can only be understood by other moms. The paradox is that kids are the secret to youthfulness even . . .read the story >>>

You Are an Inspiration: Don't Ever Forget

Your presence is a gift to the world, you're unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be - take it one day at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles, and you'll make it through what comes along. Within you are so many answers, understand, have courage, be strong.